I mean, seven months later and she’s already all diva ;).
Ha! Actually, she’s quite the opposite. This girl is so sweet, so silly, so fun, so personable, so outgoing and so a part of our family. It’s crazy to think that it’s only been seven months because…it’s just felt like longer. It’s felt like forever.
This month has been about the Bitty Baby…Poopoo. (Thanks again Smith for naming the doll…) Ashby is a little mama to her doll and it’s been fun watching her shower this baby with love, affection and attention.
We spent the majority of the month in the pool (because it’s so dang hot!), but when we actually did get dressed, Ashby didn’t shy away from the accessories :).
She is a Shull.
We love, love, love this girl.
Okay, some quick little facts about month seven:
1. We have been wrapping her arm at night. We started with the fingers and have made it all the way up to her collarbone. The compression is for times when she’s inactive (like sleep). She needs her fingers to be a three year old girl, so during the day, she doesn’t wear it (and if you omit wrapping the fingers, then it causes more problems than good by changing the blood flow from up her arm to down her arm).
Thanks to some great appointments this month, we have started some (hopefully effective) measures to decrease the chances of blood clots. That being said, our hematologist is certain that what Ashby had back in May when we took her to the ER was a blood clot…and that it wasn’t her first and won’t be her last. We had an MRI at the end of July which helped us better understand her blood flow (or lack thereof) and helped us formulate a plan to keep her healthy and safe.
2. She is obsessed with hot dogs. I mean…it’s a random fact but one that should be noted :). If you ask her what she wants to eat, “hot dog” is going to be her answer 100% of the time…even for breakfast. (Side note: we don’t feed her hot dogs for breakfast!)
3. Ashby girl loves swimming and has come so far since her first little lessons in April. She is now so comfortable in the water and love, love, loves jumping off the side.
4. Ashby’s language just amazes me day after day. This girl is officially chatty and her English has really progressed. I mean…she’s not up to par with other kids her age born into English speaking homes, but boy, she is getting so close. She says things that really blow my mind. She’ll use words and phrases and ask direct questions that really prove how far her language has come.
This month, I thought I’d share a little video of Ashby for you to see :).
We just love this little girl so much. Each and every month is a blessing. I am so proud of how far she’s come, and I’m also extremely proud of how far my two big kids have come too. Kensington and Smith just adore Ashby and it really amazes me how much attention they give her, how much patience they have with her and how much love they show her. Those two big kids of mine really have handled this adoption better than I could have ever imagined. I’m proud of all three of my kiddos.
That being said…I’m pretty sure one of them is touching another one right now (because they cannot keep their hands to themselves!!!), so I’m going to wrap this up and go say my most common phrase “stop touching each other”. Sigh. Mom life.
Seven months home. Adoption is amazing.
We’re getting crazy for dinner tonight…
…it’s breakfast for dinner! Click here to see my yummy supper suggestion.
xoxo
Johannah says
I'm so glad to hear that Ashby is fitting right into your family! She sure is a doll =)
Side note…the cute coral top with the aqua colored capris she has on..where did you find it? It's super cute!!
Elizabeth says
It's wonderful to hear that y'all are making progress with the doctor appointments!
Narci says
Ashby is such an sweet, sweet girl!! What an honor to watch her adoption!! Adoption is amazing! 🙂
Erica @ Whimsical September says
I love these updates, Shay! That video is precious! I've been following you for a while and it definitely feels like Ashby has been with your family for longer than seven months (even though I remember that first picture of her hitting Instagram like it was yesterday). 🙂
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Having a front row seat to the entire adoption process has been so cool. So many of us have been praying for that girl for so long, and I will always remember seeing that first picture of her precious face. Ashby is such a joy to be with, and Kensington and Smith have been truly amazing during this. I too am so proud of how they have handled the entire process and how much they love and attend to her. Watching the entire family together makes me so happy!
Rebecca Jo says
Love the video of her… she's so precious.
I love she takes such good care of her baby doll… shows what an example you are to her momma <3
Erika Slaughter says
Listen…I know it's not Ashby's fault. Whoever is touching her-it's their fault. I'm 100% certain. 🙂
Angela Pino says
Thank you for sharing your life and your sweet family with us. The video of Miss Ashby is so so precious! Sending you lots of love and prayers. 🙂
Paula says
Perfect update! 🙂 Sounds like things are going amazingly!
Leslie Steele says
She is a doll!! How funny that she loves hot dogs, what a cutie! Your family is doing an amazing thing!
kimm atwood says
I'm with ashby on the hot dogs…love them! Love these updates !
Elizabeth Valdez says
She is perfect!
kelsey @ so much life to live says
She is such a little doll 🙂 Can't believe it's already been 7 months!!
Jaren says
She's so precious! Continuing to pray for her! And I must say Stop Touch Each Other 1200 times a day!
Leigh Clark says
Haha, I feel like I say "keep your hands to yourself" a thousand times a week!!!
Jenny says
Aww… I love this! She looks like such a happy girl! 🙂
Mama Of Boys says
Am so pleased they're making progress with her arm, will keep praying for clarity for all her medical team xx
Jen says
She is such a cutie!!! 🙂
Vanessa Piot says
Thank you for allowing us to follow along aside you guys during this incredible journey! Seeing this little girl blossom into this full-of-life, happy toddler is nothing short of amazing!
The Nelson Happenings says
Thanks for sharing 7 months post adoption !!! Ashby is a doll 🙂 All three of your chidden are dolls ! I love following your sweet family.
Ashley Bergman says
So so perfect. I love these updates, I love seeing the ways adoption changed each of your lives. I love the encouragement and the beauty. I love it all. Thank you for sharing with us.
klmoore23 says
I love hearing your voice on the video! Such a deep Texas accent! Love it! Enjoy your day. 🙂
Kayla Ann Koury Bruce says
I LOVE these post adoption posts. As someone who is seriously considering adoption in the next few years, it's awesome to see the progression. And y'all and Ashby are just too sweet!
amandapreece says
That video of your precious girl just made my afternoon!
Mary McGuire says
The video won't play on my iPhone. What do I have to do differently in order to see the cute video of Ashby…??
Jen says
I had to view it on my desktop computer if that helps 🙂
Jennifer Thull says
For breakfast you should make her scrambled eggs with cut up hot dog & salsa!
Tracy says
Love these Ashby updates! She is precious. Love the video. 🙂
Whitney Pegram says
I love your blog! You have actually inspired me to start one of my own. I'm a stay at home mama of 2 sweet kiddos! I have no idea what I'm doing with this blog stuff but I'm so excited to learn as I go! 🙂
Kelsey Mann Peacock says
She is so sweet! Love that video! You all are as blessed to have her as she is to have you 🙂
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
Briana Runde says
Cute video! 🙂
Jen says
Adorable video!!
Elizabeth Park says
I'd love to see more videos of Ashby please!!! =))))
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
She's adorable! You're doing such a wonderful job Mama! God bless you!
Brian & Ashley says
She's too cute!
The Greenfields says
we adopted twins from Congo two years ago and they were also obsessed with hot dogs, i think it was one of their first english words.